About St. Paul of the Cross · Atlanta, Georgia
St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church is a bilingual (English/Spanish) Roman Catholic parish in western Atlanta, Georgia, founded in 1954 by the Passionist Fathers (C.P.) at the invitation of Monsignor James Grady and Bishop Francis Edward Hyland. Originally established to serve the African American Catholic community of Atlanta's west side, the parish remains a historic hub for Black Catholics in the city while today also actively ministering to a growing Hispanic population, with most weekend Masses offered in Spanish. The current church, dedicated in 1960 and designed by architect John B. Baumann in the mid-century modern style, sits on a 37-acre campus in the Collier Heights neighborhood that once included a Passionist-run parochial school (1957–1989) staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Baden, Pennsylvania. The parish is pastored by Rev. Jerome McKenna, C.P., and served by Deacon George Smith, and belongs to the Central Deanery of the Archdiocese of Atlanta.
- Established
- 1954
- Patron
- St. Paul of the Cross (founder of the Passionists)
- Rector
- Rev. Jerome McKenna, C.P. (Passionist)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Atlanta (Central Deanery)
Why belong here
St. Paul of the Cross is one of the most historically significant Catholic parishes in Atlanta — founded by the Passionists in 1954 specifically to serve Black Catholics on Atlanta's west side, with a school and convent built in the late 1950s and a striking mid-century modern church dedicated in 1960. Today it is a genuinely bilingual community, offering weekend Masses in both English and Spanish (including a 7:00 AM and 1:00 PM Spanish Mass on Sundays), so Hispanic and African American families can worship together under one roof. With nine liturgical ministries under its Worship Commission — Acolytes, Altar Rosary Society, Extraordinary Ministers, Hospitality, Lectors, Legion of Mary, Ministry of Praise, Music, and Prayer Group — plus an active St. Vincent de Paul Society, an Ecumenical Committee, Bible Study, weekly Adoration, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and a First Saturday Rosary, the parish offers something for nearly every age and devotion.
Mass times at St. Paul of the Cross
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:30 PM – 4:00 PM (English)
- Thursday: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Spanish)
- Saturday: 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM (Spanish)
- Or by appointment — contact the parish office (404-696-6704)
Adoration times
- Thursday: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Adoración / Spanish)
Welcome to St. Paul of the Cross
St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church is a bilingual Roman Catholic parish in western Atlanta, part of the Central Deanery of the Archdiocese of Atlanta. The parish website welcomes visitors with its full Mass schedule (in both English and Spanish), a link to the latest Sunday Bulletin (Boletín Parroquial), a prayer-request portal, and information about live-streamed Masses on Facebook. A standing COVID-19 protocol notes that masks are now optional, with those who are symptomatic or have been exposed asked to stay home and join via the live stream.
- Sunday Bulletin (Boletín Parroquial)
- Prayer Requests form
- Live-streamed Masses on Facebook (SPOTC Facebook Streaming Mass)
- Online Donate / Donación button
- Masks optional inside church and parish buildings
Parish History
Established on November 11, 1954, from territory of Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Paul of the Cross was the second Black Catholic parish in Atlanta and the only one founded by the Passionists in the city. Its founding pastor, Rev. Emmanuel Trainor, C.P., celebrated the parish's first Mass on January 20, 1955, in an assembly room at McLendon Hospital. Within five years the parish had built and dedicated a school/convent complex (1957–1958) and a permanent church (1960), and in 1962 was formally desegregated along with the rest of the new Archdiocese of Atlanta. The school closed in 1989/1990, but the parish has continued as a major hub for African American Catholics on Atlanta's west side and, since the early 2000s, for Hispanic Catholics as well.
- 1954 — Parish established November 11 by Bishop Francis Edward Hyland
- 1954 — Rev. Emmanuel Trainor, C.P., appointed first pastor
- 1955 — First Mass held at McLendon Hospital (January 20)
- 1957 — Parochial school opens (Sept. 16) with Sisters of St. Joseph of Baden
- 1958 — School, chapel, and convent dedicated (February)
- 1959–1960 — Current church constructed
- 1960 — Church dedicated October 23 by Bishop Hyland
- 1962 — Parish desegregated by Archbishop Paul John Hallinan
- 1983 — Sisters of St. Joseph withdraw from school
- 1989/1990 — Parochial school closes
- 1999 — Roughly 700 families; largest majority-African American parish in Atlanta
- 2006 — Membership of 448 families; Hispanic ministry growing
Architecture & Campus
Architect John B. Baumann designed the church in the mid-century modern style, with construction by DeGive, Dunham, O'Neill completed in 1959–1960. The building is recognized by architectural historian Robert M. Craig as 'one of the city's most notable midcentury modernist religious complexes.' The stained-glass windows on the west façade are the work of Paris-based artist Jean Barillet, and the central section features a crucifix flanked by depictions of St. John and the Blessed Virgin Mary. The parish sits on a 37-acre campus at 551 Harwell Road NW that also includes the 1958 school building and the original convent.
- Style: Mid-century modern
- Architect: John B. Baumann
- Stained glass by Paris-based artist Jean Barillet
- Low-pitch gable roof with brick-and-panel veneer
- 37-acre campus in western Atlanta's Collier Heights area
Sacraments
The parish website's Sacraments page offers catechetical background (drawn from the Catechism of the Catholic Church) on each of the seven sacraments — Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. Practical details for receiving Baptism, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, and Matrimony are handled by contacting the parish office; Reconciliation is offered on a regular weekly schedule (see above).
- Baptism — contact the parish office
- Confirmation — contact the parish office for the schedule of classes
- Eucharist — see full Mass Times
- Penance — Saturday 3:30–4:00 PM (English); Thursday 7–8 PM and Saturday 2–3:30 PM (Spanish)
- Anointing and Visitation of the Sick — contact Pastor or Parochial Vicar
- Holy Orders and Matrimony — contact the parish office
Worship Commission Ministries
The Worship Commission is the parish council structure through which St. Paul of the Cross 'participates in the Priestly Ministry of Jesus Christ,' assisting the Pastor and pastoral staff in fostering full, conscious and active participation in the parish's liturgical, sacramental and prayer life. Nine ministries operate under the commission, each offering parishioners a way to serve at Mass and beyond.
- Acolytes
- Altar Rosary Society
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Hospitality Ministry
- Lector Ministry
- Legion of Mary
- Ministry of Praise
- Music Ministry
- Prayer Group
St. Vincent de Paul Society
St. Paul of the Cross hosts a local conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the international Catholic charitable organization dedicated to serving people living in poverty. The conference supports neighbors in need through home visits, food assistance, and other direct aid in keeping with the society's spirituality of friendship and service.
- Local conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul
- Direct service to neighbors in need
- Contact the parish office (404-696-6704) to volunteer
Ecumenical & Community Outreach
The Ecumenical Committee 'promotes mutual understanding between the parish and other Christian churches and denominations leading to Christian unity,' engaging in joint activities with other Christian groups and providing parishioners opportunities to learn about the differences and similarities between the Catholic Church and other traditions. The committee is responsible for the parish's annual observance of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity from January 18–25.
- Ecumenical Committee
- Joint activities with other Christian churches and denominations
- Annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (January 18–25)
- Contact: Parish Office, 404-696-6704
St. Paul of the Cross School (1957–1989/1990)
Although no longer operating, the parish school is an important part of St. Paul of the Cross's legacy. Founded in 1957 and opened on September 16 with the first four grades, the school was staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Baden, Pennsylvania, with Sister Mary Ildephonse, SSJ, as the founding principal. Annual highlights included Black History Month programs each February, Christmas pageants, Thanksgiving food drives, and a summer day camp for neighborhood children. In 1970 eighth graders designed and furnished a Religious Experience Room featuring murals of African American heritage, and in 1980 the school earned full accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The Sisters of St. Joseph withdrew in 1983, enrollment dropped below 200 in the late 1980s, and the school closed in 1989/1990.
- Opened September 16, 1957 — first four grades
- Staffed by Sisters of St. Joseph of Baden, Pennsylvania
- Founding principal: Sister Mary Ildephonse, SSJ
- 1970 — Religious Experience Room with African American heritage murals
- 1980 — Full SACS accreditation
- 1981 — Co-host of Camp Promise during Atlanta child-murders crisis
- 1983 — Sisters of St. Joseph withdraw
- 1989/1990 — School closes after 33 years
Clergy, Staff & Office
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Jerome McKenna, C.P. (a member of the Passionist order, the Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ, founded by St. Paul of the Cross in Italy in 1720). He is assisted by Deacon George Smith. The parish office is open Monday–Friday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, with Wednesday observed as a remote-work day. After-hours emergency lines are staffed at 561-459-7937 (English) and 404-433-9361 (Spanish).
- Pastor: Rev. Jerome McKenna, C.P. (Passionist)
- Deacon: George Smith
- Parish Office: 404-696-6704 • Fax 404-696-4735
- Office Hours: Monday–Friday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Wednesday: Remote-work day
- After-hours emergency: 561-459-7937 (English) / 404-433-9361 (Spanish)
- Address: 551 Harwell Road NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
Visit, Connect & Live Stream
The parish invites visitors to join in person or via its Facebook live-stream. The site includes a 'Get Directions' link, the parish phone number, and links to the Sunday Bulletin, prayer requests, donations, and live-streamed Masses. Photo albums on the website document recent community moments, including a 2022 Graduation Sunday (Domingo de Graduados) celebration and a visit from the Ghanaian Catholic Community Choir.
- Live-streamed Masses on Facebook
- Online donation / Donación
- Sunday Bulletin (Boletín Parroquial)
- Prayer Requests portal
- Photo albums of parish life
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Emmanuel Trainor, C.P.1954–
Passionist priest appointed by Auxiliary Bishop Francis Edward Hyland as the parish's founding pastor in November 1954.